Doncaster man jailed for claiming he had coronavirus and assaulting police officer

Russell Fletcher, 26, was arrested on Oldfield Road, Thorne, following reports he was under the influence of alcohol and causing a disturbance in the street.

As he was being transported to custody, he claimed he was suffering from Covid-19 and breathed heavily in the face of the arresting officer.

Following the incident, which occurred just after midnight on Sunday 5 April, Fletcher, of Finkle Street, Stainforth, was charged with common assault of an emergency worker, attempted criminal damage to property, and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.

The officer was unharmed.

Fletcher appeared at Doncaster Magistrates’ Court on Monday (6 April) and was given a 12-week custodial sentence and fined £250.

Chief Inspector for Doncaster Sharon Hancock said: “Over the last weeks, our officers have made incredible personal sacrifices to ensure they can continue to protect the public they serve. The support they have received from the majority of the public has been much appreciated.

“My message to those who think that they can use this current crisis to intimidate my officers is this - your behaviour will not be tolerated and you will feel the full force of the law.

“Now is a time for us all to work together, stay at home and protect all of our key workers.”

Fletcher is the fourth person to be imprisoned following a COVID-19 related assault on a police officer.